Soccer-Ilicic hat-trick hands Ventura miserable return to football

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MILAN, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Former Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura suffered an unhappy return to football on Sunday as his new side Chievo were hammered 5-1 at home by Atalanta in Serie A, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Ventura replaced Lorenzo D’Anna earlier this month and it was the first time the 70-year-old had sat on the bench since Italy’s 0-0 draw at home to Sweden last November which resulted in them missing the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.

Josip Ilicic scored a hat-trick between the 28th and 52nd minutes for Atalanta after Marten de Roon had given them a 25th minute lead.

Robin Gosens completed the rout and Valter Birsa’s late penalty was scant consolation for Chievo who are winless and have minus one point from nine games after having had three deducted for accounting irregularities.

To compound a miserable day for Ventura, Chievo also had Federico Barba sent off for a second bookable offence in the 40th minute. (Writing by Brian Homewood; editing by Martyn Herman)